Portable, hangable lamp with outlets

ABSTRACT

A high intensity lamp system for fireman&#39;s use and similar users provides a specially shaped base with an angle-adjustment of a reflector-equipped high intensity lamp extending from a junction box on the base; the base special shape includes at one end a &#34;J&#34;-section channel hook for hanging the system on a door or the like free of twisting; an arcuate cutout centrally in the edge of &#34;J&#34;-section channel hook provides for hanging the system on a nail or the like; at the opposite end of the base a planar projection of the base beyond the junction box provides for mounting the system by clamping or by slipping into a slot. The junction box receives a twist-lock type electrical supply plug in a socket for power input and provides two output sockets, eliminating need for extra extension cords. Special provisions permit adjusting the angle of the lamp head without danger of burning the hands of the user.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to electrical devices and particularlyto portable lighting devices powered by extension cords.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the prior art numerous portable lighting devices have been described,including some with adjustable reflectors, some with means forattachment to another object, and some with electrical outlets.

The following U.S. patents are representative of known art:

U.S. Pat. No. 1,440,694 issued to G. Potstada on Jan. 2, 1934 disclosedan electric lamp with reflector and adjustable joint standard connectingthe reflector to a base;

U.S. Pat. No. 1,695,987 issued to U. F. L. Steindorf on Dec. 18, 1928,disclosed a portable electric lamp with members for attachment toanother object;

U.S. Pat. No. 2,561,691 issued to G. E. Eckert and W. K. McGinty on July24, 1951 disclosed a reflector type lamp in a socket having hinge-jointconnection to a base which has a spring clip for hooking on a rail orthe like to support the lamp;

U.S. Pat. No. 3,429,538 issued to D. Natale on Feb. 25, 1969 disclosed areflector-type lamp with a hook-shaped bracket, and behind twohook-shaped members for attachment to fixed objects.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,578,282 disclosed a lamp with a clip-connection to ahook-shaped hanger.

OBJECTS OF THIS INVENTION

However, an adjustable-reflector high intensity, reflector-equipped lampsystem with hooking provisions suited for hooking a wide variety ofobjects and for ground support, and providing a particularly orientedset of additional outlets, is not known to be available, and to providesuch is a principal object of this invention.

Further objects are to provide an angle-adjustable twist-resistantsystem as described that can be set on a floor, hung over a door, hungover a ladder or a window (as when lighting a building, especially whenit is desirable to have no interior cord to fall over), hung on adoorknob or a cabinet knob or a nail, or hung over an open ceilingjoist, a pipe, an autotruck door, a window, or on a chair or otherfurniture.

In all these applications one lightweight, easily stored unit serves asa water-tight light and junction box eliminating need for multiplesupply cords, and having selector switch control of whether the light,which may be a water-proof encased type, is in use at the same time asthe junction box outlets. A pilot light indicates whether power is beingsupplied to the junction box, protective-contact provision help preventheat damage to objects with which the system comes in contact in certainmodes, and a convenient carrying handle is provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects and advantages of this invention will becomemore readily apparent on examination of the following description,including the drawings in which like reference numerals refer to likeparts.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention as it might appear restingon the ground or on a floor;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view showing extremeadjustment-angle-positions in broken lines;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view as the system might appear when in ahanging mode;

FIG. 4 is a face view of the invention as it might appear laid on theside and if the page is rotated 90° is a front elevational view;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the system showing an inverted modeof use resting on a surface;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the system in use hung over a door;and

FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 5, but with the system hungover a beam.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-3 show the system 10 as comprising generally a high-intensityprotectively encased lamp head 20 with an adjustable mounting 22 to abase 24 which mounts junction box 26.

The high intensity head or lamp head 20 may be basically of the typesold by Crouse Hinds Company, Syracuse, N.Y., listed as Model No. QBD500. It includes a reflector 28 with a gasketed, framed glass cover 30sealing it. This particular model may use an iodine vapor lamp which isnot suited for operation at all attitudes but other well-known availablelamps such as incandescent lamps can be used and operated in it in allorientations.

This model includes a tubular mounting stem 32 from which a fixedthreaded stud 34 projects (parallel with base 24) through a suitablehole in a flange 36 fixed to the reflector 28.

Provided according to this invention for manual adjustment is a threadedknob 38 or operative end engaging the free end of the stud at a locationspaced from the flange 36 by a standoff sleeve 40 which is clampedbetween knob and flange like a washer to fix the angle of the lamp headrelative to the base.

As one means of protecting a user against burns while adjusting the lamphead, the length of the stud and sleeve are such that the hand of a userwill have room to manipulate the knob without touching the hotreflector. The electric lead 42 supplying the lamp head may passentirely within the tube and flange or may conventionally pass in theopen from the junction box to the reflector.

Another means of helping protect against burns is provided in the formof a "Lucite" or other thermally insulative plastic strip 44 protrudingfrom the reflector free edge on the end away from the junction box 26.

Angle of ajustment of the lamp head 20 is safely limited by the base, asat a rest 46 (FIG. 2) and by the junction box 26 as at a similarscrew-head rest 48.

The base 24 is a plate of aluminum with a "J"-channel-shaped hook 50formed at the end distant the junction box by a first right-angle bend52 away from the side mounting the junction box and a second right anglebend 54 returning the free end parallel with the base. A hollow (forcoolness and lightness) arcuate handle 56 is mounted at a thermallyremote location from the lamp, the heat path being through the lamppivot, junction box and much of the heat dissipating base. The handle isheld by screws at the ends, parallel with the base of the "J"-channel oroutermost end 58 of the channel in the center. This may be grasped withone hand and the plastic strip 44 with the other in adjusting lamp headangle.

The "J"-hook provides a means for hanging the system. Center of gravityis in the longitudinal center plane. A further means for hanging isprovided in the form of a cutout 60 (FIG. 3) in the returned edge 62;this is a self-centering cutout because it is central and arcuate inshape, and may be used to engage a nail or other small protrusion.

The base 24 protrudes at the end opposite the "J"-section channel or"J"-hook as a planar flange 64 which can be used in "C" clamping orotherwise affixing the system to the side of a truck or the like, or inslipping into a slot between a flange and a truck bed, for example, toretain the system.

The junction box 26 is a rectangular box, with a nearlysquare-cross-section, extending substantially from side-to-side of thebase, like the lamp head, which it supports for simplicity in assembly.It has a removable gasketed top 68 screwed in place, with a pilot light70 (FIG. 1) wired in parallel with the supply to indicate availabilityof current. Screws, including a line of screws with plastic or rubberfeet 72 (FIGS. 2 and 3) captured under and protruding from the screwheads hold the junction box in water-tight relation to the base.

Current is supplied by a line 74 with a 120 volt 20 amp twist-lock typeterminus 76 fitting into a socket 78 which may be centrally in the sideof the junction box opposite the side supporting the lamp head, forclearance and ease of tactile and visual access, and for balance.

On each side of the supply socket 76 are output sockets 80, 82 forconventionally supplying respective extension cords 84, 86 with currentfor any desired purpose.

A toggle switch 88 (FIG. 2) preferably of the bellows-protectedwater-tight type provides means for selectively turning thehigh-intensity light on and off.

FIG. 4 shows how the system 10 can be laid on the side, with the rightlamp, to floodlight an area.

FIG. 5 shows that the system 10 can be stood on the reltively coolhandle 56 and on the plastic plate 44 for angle-adjustable support on asurface that might be susceptible to heat damage, such as a floor.

FIG. 6 shows the system 10 hung on a door D by the "J"-hook 50 andcushioned by the protruding feet 72.

FIG. 7 shows how large rough objects such as a beam B or a pipe can beused for hanging, the base 24 and the lamp head 20 forming a "V" recessfor holding them.

Dimensions may be such that the overall length of the system is 16inches (41 cm), width 10 inches (25 cm), depth 10 inches (25 cm). Basethickness may be 1/8 inch (3.1 mm). Aluminum is the preferredconstruction material for lightness, less than ten pounds (4.5 kg)non-corrosion and strength.

It will be appreciated that all wiring of plugs, sockets, pilot lamp andhigh intensity lamp and switch is conventional, and so is not describedin detail.

This invention is not to be construed as limited to the particular formsdisclosed herein, since these are to be regarded as illustrative ratherthan restrictive. It is, therefore, to be understood that the inventionmay be practiced within the scope of the claims otherwise than asspecifically described.

What is claimed and desired to be protected by United States LettersPatent is:
 1. In a system of high intensity reflector-equipped lamp,base, current input means, current output means, and hanging means, theimprovement comprising: means for manually adjusting the angle of thehigh-intensity reflector-equipped lamp relative to said base, means forpreventing burning of the hands during said manual adjusting, saidhanging means including means for hanging the system on doors and thelike free of twisting when hung; the current output means including ajunction box; the means for manually adjusting including: a pivotalconnection mounting the high intensity reflector-equipped lamp to thejunction box and means for clamping said pivotal connection; the meansfor preventing burning comprising: a thermally insulative strip on saidreflector located for gripping during said manual adjusting, a handle onsaid base thermally remote from the high-intensity reflector-equippedlamp and located for gripping during said manual adjusting, and saidmeans for clamping having an operative end with a standoff, the standofflocating the operative end away from said high intensityreflector-equipped lamp.
 2. In a system as recited in claim 1, said basecomprising a plate, the means for hanging the system on doors and thelike free of twisting when hung, including a "J"-section channel formedin said plate on an end thereof remote from said means for manuallyadjusting.
 3. In a system as recited in claim 2, said "J"-sectionchannel having a returned end portion, and means for hanging said systemon a nail and the like comprising structure defining an arcuate notchcentrally in said returned end portion.
 4. In a system as recited inclaim 3, said "J"-section channel having a portion forming a first endof said system, and said handle on said first end centrally of saidnotch.
 5. In a system as recited in claim 2, said current input meansincluding said junction box and extending across a portion of saidplate, and means for being clamped for fastening said plate to anobject, comprising a portion of said plate projecting from beneath saidjunction box as a second end of said plate.
 6. In a system as recited inclaim 5, said means for being clamped having a plurality of cushionedportions thereon.